Second Coronavirus (COVID-19) Case Discovered in the City of Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (March 14, 2020) — The City of Milwaukee Health Department (MHD) has discovered Milwaukee’s second presumptive case of novel coronavirus, COVID-19, health officials announced today. This individual is an employee of Hopkins-Lloyd Community School, a Milwaukee Public School.

MHD is awaiting confirmatory testing from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), but health officials consider the presumptive results actionable. The patient is an adult that is under medical supervision. MHD is in the process of identifying and contacting all those who may have come in contact with the infected person. Close contacts will be quarantined for 14 days from their exposure and will be monitored for fever and respiratory symptoms. The State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has issued guidelines for ending isolation and quarantine for patients.

“The Milwaukee Board of School Directors are working diligently to make sure families are fully informed regarding this matter,” said Board President Larry Miller. “We will continue to work with the Administration and all agencies to keep families and staff informed as updates become available.”

“We have been working closely with all local, state, and federal agencies to monitor this evolving situation,” said MPS Superintendent Dr. Keith P. Posley. “The district will continue to follow the guidance of the City of Milwaukee Health Department to ensure the health and well-being of all students, families, and staff.”

“It is critical that all of us do our part to slow the spread of this virus by refraining from touching ones face, eyes, and nose, covering coughs, washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and staying home when sick with cold or flu-like symptoms.” Commissioner Kowalik said.

COVID-19 is spread by respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how flu and other respiratory diseases spread, or when people touch surfaces that have been contaminated by an infected person, and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth.

When to seek medical evaluation and advice:

·    If you have symptoms like cough, fever over 100.4˚ F, or other respiratory problems such as shortness of breath and have either had contact with an individual who has COVID-19 or traveled to a Level 2 or 3 area domestically or internationally – call your primary healthcare provider or your regular doctor.

·    Your primary health care provider will be able to collect the needed specimens for testing or refer the patient to an appropriate location. Testing of asymptomatic individuals is not feasible or advisable at this point in time.

·    If you cannot see your primary care provider, please go to urgent care. Emergency rooms need to be able to serve those with the most critical needs.

·    If you are having a life threatening emergency, call 911.

Mitigation:

On Friday, March 13, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers ordered the closure of all Wisconsin schools K-12 schools, public and private.  This order is a response to the infectious disease, coronavirus COVID-19.

All Milwaukee Public Schools will be closed beginning Monday, March 16 through Monday, April 13. Schools are schedule to reopen on Tuesday, April, 14. MPS and Hopkins-Lloyd Community School is strictly adhering to the City of Milwaukee Health Department’s protocols for cleaning and sanitizing the school facility.

Board President Larry Miller, MPS Superintendent Dr. Keith P. Posley and City of Milwaukee Health Department Commissioner Jeanette Kowalik will hold a press conference to speak with media about the exact measures being taken by the City and district.

WHERE

MPS Central Office, 5225 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee, WI 53208

WHEN

Saturday, March 14, 2020 at 8:00 p.m.